Cedric The Entertainer on Kings of Comedy Origins, Egos, and Bernie Mac's Legacy

The Genesis of Kings of Comedy

• 📅 The Kings of Comedy tour officially began in 1998, with the movie being shot in 2000.
• 🤝 The concept originated with promoter Walter Lean, who initially worked with the comedians individually.
• 📺 Cedric and DL hosted BET's Comic View, providing a platform and experience for future collaborations.

Early Tour Dynamics and Evolution

• 🌟 Initially, the tour featured Cedric, Bernie Mac, and Steve Harvey, with Guy Torry as the host.
• 🚀 Bernie Mac was a breakout star, performing a famous eight-minute set on Def Jam that significantly boosted his career.
• 🎤 Cedric recalls Bernie's advice before his own Def Jam appearance: "man you can't let them intimidate you."
• 🎭 The phrase "I ain't scared of you" became a catchphrase, stemming from Bernie's genuine confidence.

Egos and the Height of Success

• 🏟️ The tour achieved massive success, selling out arenas like the United Center and MCI Center multiple times.
• 💰 As the tour's financial success grew, egos began to play a role among the comedians.
• 🎤 Steve Harvey, who headlined the first year, switched to MCing in the second year, showcasing his hosting abilities.
• 💥 Cedric The Entertainer, performing a 30-minute set, was so impactful that the tour would sometimes take an intermission immediately after his performance.

The Kings' Dissolution and Bernie Mac's Passing

• 🎬 After about three to four years, the Kings of Comedy began to disband as individual members pursued their own successful shows and careers.
• 💔 Cedric The Entertainer mentions a planned reunion tour, but Bernie Mac's declining health, specifically a breathing issue affecting his lungs, prevented it.
• 😔 Bernie Mac's passing was a shock, as he had been in touch and they were discussing future projects.
• 🌟 Despite the challenges of a sensitive world, Cedric believes Bernie Mac would have found a way to maintain his edgy comedic style.

Bernie Mac's Lasting Impact

• 🎬 Bernie Mac had a significant film career, including roles in movies like the one with Samuel L. Jackson and the Oceans movie.
• 🎭 He expressed confidence in his acting abilities, stating, "You don't know what I know. I can do this."
• 💡 A funny movie project involving all the Kings of Comedy was sold to Universal but never got made.